Kidnapped

Chapter 1

"Honey, come downstairs!" My mom called. I lifted my head from my book. "It's time for dinner!"

"Coming!" I shouted back, slapping my book closed and jumping up from my bed, skipping down the stairs that led from my bedroom to the kitchen.

The aroma of pasta rose to my nose as I entered the kitchen, where my mom was just serving a plate of spaghetti to my dad and brother. "There you are, Trixa!" My mom exclaimed. "We're serving your favorite--"

"Well it's sure not my favorite dish," My incredibly aggravating older brother, Bruce, interrupted in his usual way. "My favorite dish is--"

"Absolutely no one cares," I stated imperiously. "I'm hungry and I would rather not lose my appetite to one of your annoying comments."

"All the other girls at school care," Bruce answered with a sly grin. I stuck my tongue out at him, but I knew it was true. Bruce was probably the cutest guy in twelfth grade, with his short black hair and electric blue eyes, not to mention that he was probably the strongest football player in the entire state of Minnesota.

"Oh, please," I reminded him. "You have a girlfriend. Why do you need to impress the other girls?"

Once again, Bruce answered with one of his normal obnoxious answers. "In case I break up."

"Which you do about twice a month!" I taunted him.

"Now, you two!" My mom scolded. "Stop it!" She flicked a bit of sauce at both of us with her long, slender fingers, snapping us out of one of our many arguments. "Sit down and chill, both of you."

I sat down obediently, but not before shooting Bruce one last death glare. As I started eating, I thought about how Bruce was able to get to me whenever he wanted to. He was one of the few people who could. Maybe it was because he knew that he was, well, hot, and I was...not. With my mousy brown hair, my too-tiny frame, and my thin, spindly limbs, I wasn't exactly up to model-standards. I suppose my large, owl-like amber eyes were pretty, but they were the only feature on my body that could be even close to beautiful.

My dad was flipping through the newspaper, a concerned frown dampening his expression. "What's up?" I asked him, curious of what could make him so aggravated.

It was a few seconds before he answered. "More wonderful news of the real world," He answered, and I heard distinct sarcasm in his voice.

"What kind of wonderful news?" I asked, chowing down on my spaghetti.

"Disappearances," He answered blandly. "Kidnappings." Despite his careful precautions to hide his thoughts and emotions, I saw that he was more anxious and worried than he was letting on.

"Anyone we know?" Bruce asked curiously.

"Do you remember the Ross family? From my work?" My dad questioned, his sparkling blue eyes alight with worry.

"Yes," My mom, Bruce, and I chimed in all at once.

"Their son, six-year old Eric, is one of those who is missing."

There was a moment of silence as considered this--I'd known Eric well, I'd even volunteered at his preschool class once. If he was missing...

"Don't worry," my mom reassured us after a few moments of silence. "I'm sure that the authorities will find him soon."

I nodded my head, even though the cold fog that seemed to have drifted into the kitchen didn't lift.

Finally, the conversation moved onto lighter subjects, though I didn't participate much in it. At one point, I noticed the time and squeaked in surprise. "Oh, gosh!" I squealed, grabbing my plate and tossing it into the sink. "I'm going to be late for the party!"

"Wait, Trixa," My dad interrupted. "I don't think that you should go to the party tonight."

I paused in my mad dash for the stairs. "What do you mean?" I asked incredulously.

"I mean," He continued. "with all the kidnappings happening, it might not be safe for you."

I eyed him with shock and rage. "Excuse me?" I'd been planning to go to the party at my best friend's, Marcy's, for months. It was supposed to be a 'happy spring' festivity, and almost everyone in the school was invited. And now...

"Sorry, Trixa," He apologized. "I just don't think that it would be right for you to go out with these...complications arising."

Fury boiled up inside of me. "But Daaaaaaad!"

"No 'but's."

"I'll be surrounded with friends the entire time! I'll be completely safe, and plus, a whole group of friends will be walking me home and there." I protested.

"Still--"

"No," I cut him off. "You see, I'll not only be surrounded by friends, but Marcy's house is only three blocks from ours, and, may I remind you, that her older brother, who served in the army for a time, will be with us, too!"

"I--"

"And," I added, continuing on at full boil. "I am 16 years old, and you know full well that I am a responsible young adult--" Bruce snorted at this, but I forged ahead. "--SO, I am perfectly safe." I glared at him in rage, and that was enough that I didn't have to say 'so there'.

"Absolutely not."

I gaped at him. It seemed he had not listened to my intense, not to mention amazing, argument that a lawyer would've been proud of. I decided on a different tactic: compromising. "What if you drove me there?"

"Nope."

"You could drive me back, too."

"No."

Time to bring out the bad boys: bribery, I thought bitterly. "I'll do the dishes for a month, and I'll keep my room clean, and you won't even have to pay me--"

"I said no, Trixa," my dad stated, clearly worn out by my protests.

I glared, dumbfounded and furious, for a few seconds at him before I tromped upstairs to my room, where I proceeded to plop down on my bed and pout. What's up with Dad, anyways? I thought angrily. It's not like I'm going to get kidnapped within three blocks at my best friend's party, anyways.

About ten minutes into my pout, my phone buzzed, indicating that I had a text message. I checked it: Marcy.

Excited 4 the party?

I sighed. Not a great time, Marcy.

I can't go, sry, I texted back after a long pause.

Marcy's next message nearly took up all the space on my phone's screen, though it only took her about five seconds for her to type it. I've always marveled at her ability to text. WTF do u mean, you're not coming?! I thought we'd talked for AGES about this!! You know I can't handle it without u--you're as much of the hostess as I am!! WHY AREN'T U COMING?!?!?!

Marcy has never neglected to let everyone know what her feelings are.

My dad is being a jerk, I texted back. He won't let me go because of some stupid kidnappings.

U r coming to my party, even if I have 2 come over 2 ur house and drag u here myself!!

Suddenly, a plan sparked in my mind. Dangerous, and costly, too--I might just get grounded for the rest of my life-- but it could work.

I smiled mischievously as I sent my next text:

What if I told u that u could do that?